5/15/2014

THE RISE AND FALL OF THE CLASHThere’s precious little “rise” in this autopsy of the tragic slow death of the Only Band That Mattered.
Surviving parties (including a magnanimous Mick Jones) mostly blame Svengali manager Bernie Rhodes’ ill-advised, narcissistic machinations, while tales of the late Joe Strummer’s ultimate contrition only add to the mournful tone.

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2The palpable Garfield / Stone chemistry, a surprisingly moving Sally Field, and staggering effects are the best parts of this overstuffed installment, which turns SPIDER-MAN comics’ arguably most dramatic storyline into a BATMAN FOREVER-evoking mishmash of too many villains, forced set pieces, and way too much sequel setup.

BAZOOKA JOE AND HIS GANG by the Topps Company, Inc. (Abrams ComicArts)
As with the original comics, you may need a magnifying glass to scan every detail in this exhaustive, beautifully designed confection of art, merchandise, history, and essays celebrating 60 years of the admittedly lame, but heartwarmingly iconic bubble gum mascot in all his iterations. A pop (sorry) treasure trove.

...and don't call me CHIEF!

Bitten by a radioactive silverfish at the age of five, Karl Heitmueller Jr. (aka Kalli, aka Pops Gustav) gained the power of pop culture hyper-perception.
Now as an adult, he writes, draws and cartoons about comics, movies, television, music, Superman, advertising, design, politics, religion, drinking and jerks.
Sometimes all at once.